Olsen Park
A nice stop beside Rock Creek.
The town of Rock Creek was founded when two soldiers traveling
through the
area discovered gold and launched one of the most important gold
rushes in
the history of the province. A series of major and minor gold
rushes began
in 1859 throughout the area and continued over the next 10 years.
There was
a sudden influx of more than 5,000 miners. Governor James Douglas
quickly
ordered the rapid construction of the now-famous Dewdney Trail,
going from
the coast to the gold field just north of the border. Rock Creek
became
the supply centre for the Boundary Country. When bigger strikes
occurred
in the Okanagan and the Cariboo, the miners left, but an important
trade
route remained.
After the gold boom died out, agriculture, ranching and lumber
became the
mainstays of the economy. For the visitor,the highlands are ideal
for
hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching and
hunting.
Kettle River Park offers a place to fly fish or spend a day or two
of
guided paddling.
